I sold my R171 SLK55 then bought a 987.2 Boxster. I sold the Boxster after driving it about 6 times. Handled great but very dull, no excitement. I then bought my R172 SLK55 and the smile was back!
Boxster’s used to be ugly until the latest version. SLK in all versions looks great. I agree per R172 in that they should have stuck with the 171 front end
I just sold my Z3M roadster & replaced it with a low mileage R231 SL500 in hyacinth red with cream leather. Not the AMG SL63 admittedly. But not much less power or performance. It's more than enough. In fact I'm in awe of it. The fact it takes an extra 200 or 300 milliseconds to reach the legal speed limit compared to the AMG is immaterial. 0 - 60 in 4.5 is fine with me. I'm loving it to bits. I considered an SLK55. But they're almost as expensive. A great little V8 roadster, but less car for the money. SLK55 £55k new. SL500 £85k new but only £3 or £4k more second hand for the SL. And it's an almost all aluminium engineering masterpiece
Nice choice 👍 Great value now too. The 55 has held its money fairly well, which is nice, think I gave around £47k for mine, there were good discounts at the end. The 231 has some serious road presence 💪 and at that level they’re all quick. Health to enjoy your new car 🍻
Hello Neil. My 2012 R172 DLK55 has 225/40 Z18 Y on the front and 245/35 Z18Y on the rear as supplied from the factory new ( The tyres currently were fitted in 2018). Interesting they had 17 inch on the front in later cars. Our R172 SLK55's cars are rare and worldwide production was in the region of 3,600 with just over 500 in the UK. Mine has 43,000 miles on the clock of which I have completed 15,000 since purchasing in 2017. They are fantastic cars and mine is definitely a keeper.
Hi Martin. Was having a mad moment - fronts are 18s too, doh!! The more and more owners I speak with the more they seem to echo our thoughts; "never selling this". Sure it has its flaws but we'll never see its like again. Mine's not yet a 9,000 miles!! Need to get out more 🤣
Hi Neil, nice to see the '55 out again, a bit like you I replaced a Cayman (718) for a 2014 '55, As you say they are a great GT car with the added advantage of dropping the roof to experience the glorious V8 burble. Looking forward to more '55 content as the weather warms up!
Agree 100%, got to get more content done with this car this year. Have been slacking to-date!! Good thing about the Porsches is they hold their money 😉
I've had the R171 SLK 55 for around 7 years now and I absolutely love it. Haven't seen many of these 172's. I love the styling of the 171 though, it's aged so well. Enjoy!
Yup, the 171 does win on the looks department, us 172 owners are all a bit jealous of that tbh 👌 But it’s the engine really. It just makes me laugh out loud every time I turn the key, it’s crazy and we love it 🤪
Great review. I'm with you, that SLK55 is a lovely choice. I have a 2013 350SLK, ie the 6-cylinder variant. and just a little envious of the rumble of your exhaust note. Maintenance has been just basic service, I've had my SLK about 8-9 years with about 67k on it now, and zero problems. The same can be said of my friend's R170 version. I concur with your comments about build, and maintenance. They're solid. I've kept mine garaged, and serviced, on recommended schedule, with little signs of wear in or out. I DO like yours. Periodically I've met with SLK clubs on tour, and your SLK55 is always the rare bird in the flock. . Thanks for sharing the review of yours.
Thanks for the kind words 👍 These are great cars, no doubt. Very underrated in any guise. I’ve a friend with the diesel version, 370 lbft of torque, his daily driver, 60mpg and 100% reliable. Mine’s in for a service and mot next week then time to use it again 😎 Hoping to get a few more miles in this year. Still only at 8k!!
I bought one after seeing your videos. Got a white SLK 55 2013. Had to invest a little to facelift it, but now I’m happy with the car. Here in Brazil there are a few ones available in good shape.
Great choice 👍 SLK 55 + Brazil, you’re making us all very jealous here!! That’s one place I’ve really got to visit soon. Health to enjoy your new car. The slk 55 owners Facebook page is very helpful and always good to hear how people are getting on with their cars.
Enjoy it Neil. Great weather to be out in it. I totally get what you say about it. Its not 100% perfect but what car is, but this just puts a huge grin on the face. Would be great to see you at Beaulieu for Mercedes Day
@@midlifemotors5050 It was my first look in real life on this car. The car was in great shape for it,s age and mileage. I’m a biker…..but I realize that I’m not getting any younger and this would be a great option to the motorcycle. I like to go fast and with great acceleration and the SLK 55,s looks and sound and overall looks very appealing to me. I live in Sweden and it’s SLK,s everywhere in the summer…..But NOT the SLK 55. Almost all are the 200 with 164/180 horsepower,s. And I will wait until I can afford one of these excellent cars. You give good insight what the owner cost can be and that is overall completely okey I think. Have a great day and thank you 👍👍
I have a black 2014 slk55 got it around 11k miles for my 26th birthday.. driven it for 4500 so far and not this car is a joy to have. I get compliments all the time and like you said from 40-70 jesus, and you get the real power when you’re going from 60-100.. a lot of these turbos are fast going to 60mph but they can’t keep up with the v8 amg.
Hi Neil, new to your channel and subscribed! I’m in a similar situation, had my 2013 SLK55 AMG for four years this month after two R171 SLK350’s. I was thinking of changing it recently and looked at FTypes (convertible “boot” will barely fit a lunchbox and didn’t like the interior), late XK/R Beautiful car but absolutely crazy prices), Aston DB9, (expensive and unreliable) and various other options. I did consider a new-ish C63 Coupe (4ltr twin turbo) but again £40K plus and no vario roof. TBH I can’t find anything that I can realistically afford to replace it…..guess I’ll just have to keep it for a while longer! TonyS
Many thanks for subscribing 👍 Much appreciated. The F-Type (pre-facelift) is a lovely car no doubt. I could only strectch to the V6 though and really wanted a V8. The Mustang and Supra are the only current cars I really fancy, but 1 has too many seats and the other no convertible so i'll stick with the SLK. TBH i've no intention of really ever selling it now, think it's my keeper.
Absolutely love the car man!! Here in the US, these are so so difficult to find. The previous generation not too bad. Would you recommend me waiting till I can afford a R172 over an R171?
They're a rare car this side of the pond too tbh. Probably one of the main reasons I hang on to it, in a sea of Porsches it stands out. The 172 does seem to have fewer "issues" than the 171 but for me it was the interior, just couldn't live with the interior of the older car. If you can stretch to the 172 you won't be disappointed 😎
Neil,i think it makes more sense than ever before especially this type of cars,small roadster with huge V8,dies out. In 2023/2024 makes more and more sense every year and wait at the moment when he comes to a rare classic car. I like this car very much and never will sell it
Agree 100% - it's not going anywhere. A V8 and an EV looks like being my choice for the future. This V8 ticks all my boxes, just need to find a decent EV now.
IMO the 172 is ageing well. Still a great looking roadster and the bonus of a metal roof, what’s not to love?? No idea what I’d change it for, so just keep it 😎
Great video , I like the look of these .big v8 in a small car , what’s not to like . Torque is measured in lbs ft not torques , clarkson started that nonsense it does my head in 😂
I own 1 of 290 2009MY SLK55 AMG P30 built and one of 19 imported into Canada. I have owned 2 R170 SLK320s, 1 R172 SLK350 and this is the best of all. It has 82000 km on it and bring me any Porsche you want and let's play.
As a bloke considering the 981, would you mind highlighting the benefits of that car? I mean people cite the handling as amazing. I'm here because the AMG is the heard over head choice. Also, nice colour
Well the 981 held its money superbly, which was nice. Its a great car, no doubt, but so is a golf. There was nothing about it that amazed me tbh. Very, very good, yes. Amazing, no. The SLK on the other hand is a terrible car (well not that bad) but an amazing experience (and quite a bit quicker). Want the best car, buy the Porsche (or a Golf), want the best experience, buy the Merc. Hope that makes some sort of sense 😊👍
Nice video Neil, but I think you might be "gilding the lily" when you say that it wouldn't stand a chance against a 981 Cayman S pdk-I think the figures are around 4.6 for your car and 4.7 for the Cayman, and when you start throwing in a winding road ......🙂
Thanks 👍 Yes I’ve definitely got slk tinted glasses 😀 This car replaced a 981 Boxster so I know how well they get off the line and Porsche always play down their figures too. By 100 the gap would be more noticeable though and mid range you’re looking at 400lbft v less than 300 (266 iirc). Twisties and the Porsche is gone, no doubt. Merc has better brakes though. Boils down to which you prefer I guess, I’ve bonded with this one for some reason, possibly the big V8 😎
thanks Neil, no I was seriously impressed by your Merc, esp the roof and sound, but the pdk on the Porsche is something else!- and I know you had the Boxster and weren't too happy with it-I personally went with the Cayman and coincdicently saw the place u went to yesterday after an internet search-I've just been quoted £1380 by Porsche for my 7 year check on the Cayman-gulp!
I currently own a 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 in silver with a rare 6 speed manual transmission, but I really want an AMG. I am struggling between the SLK 55 AMG and the SL55. I think I am most likely going to go with the SL 55AMG as my next vehicle. But if I may ask what year is your SLK? Is it an R172? I also have a 2019 Nissan maxima SR with a color very similar to your Mercedes.
I looked at the sl55 back in 2015, but even then it was getting on a bit. They are a step up performance wise but also much more of a gamble reliability wise. They have a few well known issues that can empty wallets much bigger than mine. My car is a 2015, R172. So far, so good. Just wish I got more time to drive it 👍
@@midlifemotors5050 beautiful Car, if I don’t get the SL 55 then of course, I will get an R171 SLK 55. I love my SLK 350 R171, with a six speed manual transmission but I’ve always wanted something a little faster.
I have a 2012 SLK55 AMG and I have never seen one with staggered wheel diameter? Did they really change that on later models? I know they are staggered by width, wider on the rears and narrower on the front.
@@davepayne1649 Scottish SLK Owners + Just SLK55 Owners on facebook. Great bunch on both and always very supportive. There's not many of us so we've got to stick together 😉
No issues to report here. TBH don't really hear any owners, its a nice close-knit community the slk55 owners club, with tails of wow with these cars. The earlier models suffered from corrosion, not a problem on the 172 and the Mercedes red paint issue between 2012 and 2014 also effected the slk. But no, nothing really to report, which is good.
